|
real life
composer
Written by: Kerr / Burchill
publisher
© 1991 Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd
© JKMC-Bucks Music Group Ltd / Hornall Music. (Post 2013 credit)
background
At the time I was writing a short story called "Real Life." It was based on a group of young characters setting out to
discover themselves. The work was almost complete when I received (by post) a cassette with three new musical ideas that
Charlie Burchill had been working on. All three of them were good to my ears, and all
three became prominent songs on what was to become our next album. One in particular seemed to have a presence that went beyond
the normal pop/rock song. Seeming to be much more theatrical, like something that could have been out of a musical. It was as
though it was asking to have a "story type" lyric written all over it - and I just happened to have a short story right
there waiting to be applied.
I think it is an incredible piece of music. Charlie is a genius. The 'gothic operatic' intro
chords and atmosphere alone get me every time. And as for playing it live? That moment where it breaks down into the
" Up high, above desert sky, where the space shuttles scream etc." Well, I believe that really is a moment!
Jim
19th September 2017
|
In 1990, along with Stephen Lipson on bass and drum programming,
Charlie and I rented a small basement room in Hilversum, Netherlands.
Suddenly writing as a duo once again, much like we did when we wrote the songs that first established Simple Minds.
Our task was to "not blink and keep rolling the ball uphill" by working on the follow up album to
Street Fighting Years.
Quite a challenge!
As I knew it would. The initial song worked on, (with its wondrous intro) became the album title - and that album was
released thirty years ago this week.
Jim
2nd April 2021
|
The chord sequence was built up around a drum loop called the Bonham Loop Idea or Loop Idea - inspired by the
rhythmic backing of When The Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin. It was one of the later demos, first appearing in
March 1990, well after the Wisseloord writing sections, and whilst the band were at Hilversum.
The opening intro was one of the last flourishes added to the album. (The edited version of the song, which appears
on the single, was how early versions of the album opened).
lyrics
|
Paula came from Washington with long golden hair,
Twenty eight dollars in a fake silk purse and a leather skirt to wear.
Shane came from Dublin town, from the old world so green,
Counterfeit ticket in to JFK in the land of his dreams.
Street life's the only life, they take a walk in the park.
Even though they only met that day they were lovers by dark.
Laid out on the morning skies he puts a ring on her hand,
He said 'Listen babe, we gotta take what's ours, do it or die.'
Quit dreaming this is real life baby.
Real life's the only life, what's it all about?
Quit dreaming this is real life baby.
Way out on the dock that night the colour is red,
23rd victim of a gangland war takes his last breath.
Outside the sister cried, she said the whole world's so mean.
Heavyweight killer in the ring, turns killing machine.
Quit dreaming this is real life baby.
Real life's the only life, what's it all about?
Quit dreaming this is real life baby.
All my love, you're my all,
They way you move, you're in control.
The way you talk, the way you dress,
Your hands, your touch, your sweet caress.
All my love, you're the best,
Every little thing that I possess,
It's all emotion when you take control,
I can feel wild horses running in my soul.
Oh my love, all I see,
The stars, the sun, the energy.
If this going to kill us then let it go,
Quit dreaming this is real life baby.
Up high above a desert sky where the space shuttles scream,
Sixteen men from a dying earth take their last dream.
Quit dreaming this is real life baby.
Quit dreaming this is cheap life baby.
Real life's the only life, what's it all about?
Quit dreaming this is cheap life baby.
Your eyes, your lips, the shape of your mouth,
It's a sweet life baby.
All my love, you're my all,
The way you move, the way you go.
I'm all emotion when you take control,
I can feel wild horses running in my soul.
All my love, you're all I see,
The stars, the sun, the energy,
The way you move, you're in control,
Quit dreaming this is real life baby.
|
discography
Edit (3:54)
Producer: Stephen Lipson
Engineer and MIDI Manager: Heff Horaes
Mixing Assistant: Giles Cowley
|
|
Album Version (4:53)
Producer: Stephen Lipson
Engineer and MIDI Manager: Heff Horaes
Mixing Assistant: Giles Cowley
|
|
Video Mix (4:53)
Producer: Stephen Lipson
Engineer and MIDI Manager: Heff Horaes
Mixing Assistant: Giles Cowley
|
|
Live Version (13th February 1995) (5:17)
Recorded: Spreckles Theatre, San Diego, USA
Recorded by: Bill Dooley
|
|
Live Version (13th Aug 1991) (5:05)
Recorded: Barrowlands, Glasgow, UK
Mastered by: Simon Heyworth
|
|
Live Version (23rd November 2009) (4:49)
Recorded: Solnahallen, Stockholm, Sweden
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (24th November 2009) (4:56)
Recorded: Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (27th November 2009) (4:48)
Recorded: Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (30th November 2009) (4:17)
Recorded: Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (3rd December 2009) (4:16)
Recorded: MEN, Manchester, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (5th December 2009) (4:18)
Recorded: Arena, Sheffield, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (6th December 2009) (4:14)
Recorded: CIA, Cardiff, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (7th December 2009) (4:16)
Recorded: Arena, Wembley, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (9th December 2009) (4:17)
Recorded: 02, Dublin, Ireland
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (10th December 2009) (4:20)
Recorded: Odyssey, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (11th December 2009) (4:16)
Recorded: SECC, Glasgow, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (12th December 2009) (4:17)
Recorded: AEC, Aberdeen, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (17th December 2009) (5:10)
Recorded: Popcentrum, Tilburg, Netherlands
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (18th December 2009) (4:21)
Recorded: Autostadt Piazza, Wolfsburg, Germany
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (February-May 2015) (3:29)
Recorded: Big Music Tour 2015
Recorded By: Olivier Gerard
Mixed By: Olivier Gerard at Jet Studios
|
|
videography
sessions
downloads
Live Version (23rd November 2009) (4:49)
Recorded: Solnahallen, Stockholm, Sweden
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (24th November 2009) (4:56)
Recorded: Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (27th November 2009) (4:48)
Recorded: Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (30th November 2009) (4:17)
Recorded: Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (3rd December 2009) (4:16)
Recorded: MEN, Manchester, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (5th December 2009) (4:18)
Recorded: Arena, Sheffield, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (6th December 2009) (4:14)
Recorded: CIA, Cardiff, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (7th December 2009) (4:16)
Recorded: Arena, Wembley, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (9th December 2009) (4:17)
Recorded: 02, Dublin, Ireland
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (10th December 2009) (4:20)
Recorded: Odyssey, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (11th December 2009) (4:16)
Recorded: SECC, Glasgow, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (12th December 2009) (4:17)
Recorded: AEC, Aberdeen, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (17th December 2009) (5:10)
Recorded: Popcentrum, Tilburg, Netherlands
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
Live Version (18th December 2009) (4:21)
Recorded: Autostadt Piazza, Wolfsburg, Germany
Mixed By Concert Online
|
|
live history
|